SENATE SENIOR CITIZENS, VETERANS' AFFAIRS AND HUMAN SERVICES COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 838

with committee amendments

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: FEBRUARY 10, 1997

      The Senate Senior Citizens, Veterans' Affairs and Human Services Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 838 with committee amendments.

      As amended by the committee, this bill would permit any State resident 65 years of age or older, permanently and totally disabled, or permanently confined to a wheel chair, to obtain a resident's fishing license free of charge except for a one-time application fee of $2.00. Under present law, this license is available free of charge only to residents who are completely blind or who are 70 years of age or older. Also, under present law and regulation, residents 65 years of age or older may obtain a fishing license for $7.75, about half the regular price.

      The bill would also require the Director of the Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife to annually certify to the Director of the Division of Budget and Accounting the amount that the Hunters' and Anglers' License Fund has been reduced as a result of the issuance of free fishing licenses. An amount equal to the certified amount is directed to be annually appropriated to the license fund from the General Fund. Revenues deposited in the Hunters' and Anglers' License Fund are used to support most of the Division of Fish, Game and Wildlife's operating budget.

      The committee amended the bill to delete the provisions relating to trout stamps.